Witnesses: Kennedy drinking before crash

WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- Witnesses reportedly have told Washington police that Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., was in a Capitol Hill bar before his early morning May 4 car crash.

Kennedy has denied drinking before he slammed his Ford Mustang into a security barrier near the U.S. Capitol. But, the Boston Herald says a source close to the investigation told police Kennedy had been spotted at the Hawk & Dove before his accident.

Kennedy blamed his accident on prescription painkillers and sleeping pills and checked into a Minnesota rehabilitation center.

The Herald reported last week that a Hawk & Dove hostess said the 38-year-old lawmaker is a frequent customer and was drinking in the bar before the single-vehicle crash. Kennedy did not take a sobriety test.